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NC Council of Churches

Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice

About

The North Carolina Council of Churches was founded in 1935.  We are a statewide ecumenical organization promoting Christian unity and working towards a more just society. We are comprised of 26 distinct judicatories from 18 denominations. Across the state, our members have over 6,200 congregations with about 1.5 million congregants.

The Council enables denominations, congregations, and people of faith to impact our state on issues such as economic justice and development, human well-being, equality, compassion and peace, following the example and mission of Jesus Christ.

While the Council is itself overtly Christian, many of the committees and task groups are interfaith, including members from non-Christian faith communities. Several committees also include members of Christian denominations which are not part of the Council of Churches. Through this work, we live our motto: Strength in Unity, Peace through Justice.

Our members include 26 judicatories of 18 denominations and eight individual congregations. Across the state, our members have over 6,200 congregations with about 1.5 million congregants.

The North Carolina Council of Churches is not the local chapter of either the National or World Council of Churches. While we share the two goals of ecumenism and justice and our memberships are drawn from many of the same religious traditions, there are no structural connections between us. The North Carolina Council of Churches is actually thirteen years older than the World Council of Churches and fifteen years older than the National Council.

Jennifer Copeland, Executive Director
jennifer@ncchurches.org
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Jennifer is a native of South Carolina and an ordained minister in The United Methodist Church. She loves South Carolina, but has managed to spend all but ten years of her adult life in North Carolina. Those ten years were spent pastoring United Methodist churches across the Upstate. She attended Duke University several times and in the process earned a BA, double majoring in English and Religion, a Master of Divinity, a PhD in religion, and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies. Prior to coming to the Council, she spent 16 years as the United Methodist Chaplain at Duke University, where she also taught undergraduate and divinity school classes, served on committees and task forces, and attended lots of basketball games. Jennifer has two children, Nathan, a software developer who lives in Durham, and Hannah, a business operations coordinator who lives in Charlotte.

Susannah Tuttle, Director, NC Interfaith Power & Light
susannah@ncipl.org
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Susannah Tuttle joined the staff in August 2011. She received a Masters of Divinity degree from Starr King School for the Ministry at the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley, CA. In 2004 Susannah was hired as UNC Chapel Hill’s first Sustainability Research Associate and went on to co-initiate Trace Collaborative, LLC a consulting firm specializing in the implementation of sustainability within the design and construction industry. Susannah currently serves on Interfaith Power & Light’s national Board of Directors, We Own It’s Board of Trustees, Duke Energy’s NC Eastern Advisory Council, and UNC School of Law’s Center for Climate, Energy, Environment, and Economics (CE3) Advisory Board.

Rachel Baker, Communications Director
rachel@ncchurches.org
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Rachel was born and raised in North Carolina and graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and minor in General Business. She has been engaged in immigration advocacy through her immersion in a church plant started by her father and another pastor that was multicultural and bilingual. She was actively involved in the ministries of the congregation, a church that worked directly with first generation immigrant families as part of their focus and outreach. She is excited to be working for the Council and helping to build the NC Sanctuary Coalition. In her free time, Rachel loves all things outdoors, including hiking with her dogs, exploring new trails, and playing sports. She also enjoys playing her ukulele, cooking, and traveling.

Chris Pernell, Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness
christine@ncchurches.org
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Chris is a native Kentuckian and the daughter of missionary parents who served Eastern Kentucky for more than 40 years. She relocated to North Carolina in 1981 and has come to call NC home. Prior to coming to the Council, she spent several years in corporate America with The Diabetes Treatment Center and Honeywell International before joining a faith-based, nonprofit medical clinic serving the uninsured and under-served of Franklin County. Chris is excited to be a part of the Council's PHW program where she can utilize her background in health care and service. She and her husband, Joey, have two children, a cat, and a surprisingly friendly bearded dragon. In her free time, Chris enjoys reading, basketball, and traveling, especially to the mountains.

Sean Allen, Director of Finance and Administration
sean@ncchurches.org
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Sean was raised in Austin, Texas where he attended the University of Texas. After earning a BBA with an emphasis in Accounting and Master in Professional Accounting, he attended George W. Truett Theological Seminary where he met his wife, Jamie, and they both earned a Master of Divinity. Prior to coming to the Council, Sean spent twenty years in congregational ministry, most recently as Senior Pastor of a Baptist church in Raleigh, and two years in financial administration for a number of churches in the Triangle. When he is not cheering for his Texas Longhorns, Sean enjoys community theater, playing golf, watching sports, and spending time with his wife and their three children: Avery, Hannah, and Max.

Vanna Fox, Development Director
vanna@ncchurches.org
Vanna joins our team excited to use the varied skillset gained throughout her career. She has a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Duke, and an extensive development background, which includes Duke Children's Hospital, Interfaith Food Shuttle, and Wild Goose Festival. Her nonprofit work began in 1998, working with Capitol Broadcasting partners. This quickly became an important part of her duties while on the Morning Show on MIX 101.5/WRAL-FM, where she remained for 17 years.
Vanna is an ordained Baptist minister and has been on church staffs since her sophomore year at Western Carolina University, where she was studying music, majoring in Voice and Flute. She did postgraduate work in Music Theatre at Florida State University,  and Religious Studies at American Baptist Seminary of the West and Princeton Theological Seminary. She most recently served as Pastor for Children's Ministry and Creative Transformation at Saint Giles Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. Although she has traveled extensively, and lived in 5 other states on the East Coast, in her heart she's always been a hippie from Asheville with a passion for leaving her little corner of the world better than she found it.

Nicole Johnson, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Denominational Support
nicole@ncchurches.org
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Nicole has had the wonderful opportunity of living in different countries, having been born in Belize City, and currently calling North Carolina home. She is deeply convicted in her belief that faithful congregations can meet the environmental, social and ethical challenges of the 21st century in practical and tangible ways. Her travels and beliefs have motivated her to seek ways of merging faith, health, sustainability, justice and ethics. She is thrilled to have the opportunity to be working with congregations and individuals in creating and supporting more healthy communities. Nicole is a graduate of Salem College and of the  dual degree MDiv/MA program in sustainability at Wake Forest University. Her favorite things to do include traveling, hiking, growing things, trying new recipes, and spending time with her husband and two boys.  Nicole began her time with PHW as an intern and has remained as a regional coordinator.

Jessica Stokes, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Mental Health Advocacy
jessica@ncchurches.org
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Jessica Stokes is the Associate Director of Partners in Health and Wholeness leading our state-wide mental health advocacy efforts. Jessica earned her Master of Divinity from Wake Forest University and BS in Clinical Psychology from Averett University. She is an ordained Baptist minister and joined the Council’s staff in 2016 after directing an interfaith non-profit in Washington State. Jessica’s background includes non-profit work, hospital chaplaincy, interfaith campus ministry, and the local church. Her convictions are rooted in experiences that range from ministry in Appalachia, as a chaplain in a psychiatric hospital, to learning about systemic issues Eastern NC while living in Greenville and Wilmington, as a PHW Regional Coordinator. She seeks authentic and earnest conversation. Jessica’s work for PHW includes a focus on mental health education and advocacy, specifically tailored for faith communities. Jessica is based in Durham with her wife, Vanessa, and two pets. 

Karen Richardson Dunn, Associate Director, Partners in Health and Wholeness, Healthy Aging
karen@ncchurches.org
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Karen Richardson Dunn is a native of North Carolina.  Although she currently resides in Asheville, she has also lived in New York City, Edisto Island and Charleston, SC, and Northumberland, England.  Karen received her MDiv from Wake Forest University School of Divinity in 2011 and was ordained in the United Church of Christ in 2013. She has served as a parish minister, hospice chaplain, and as the director of the Creation Justice Network of the UCC's Southern Conference.  She most recently has worked as the program coordinator for Wake Forest School of Divinity's Food, Health and Ecological Well-Being program.  Karen is also an editor and writer, and mom to two fine sons, Dylan and Roan.  They are members of First Congregational UCC in Asheville.

Elizabeth Brewington, Overdose Response Program Coordinator
elizabeth@ncchurches.org
Recent Articles
Elizabeth is a native North Carolinian, who spent most of her life in Greensboro before deciding to explore the Midwest for college. She graduated from the College of Wooster in Ohio, where she received a dual Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Religious Studies. After college, she returned to North Carolina and did a year of service through the Episcopal Service Corps. Elizabeth joined the Council in 2018 and loves being a part of the Partners in Health and Wholeness Program. Her work is focused on ending the overdose crisis, harm reduction, and drug policy. In her free time, she loves watching TV with friends and family and constantly annoying them with her many references.

Michelle Peedin, Program Coordinator, Partners in Health and Wholeness
michelle@ncchurches.org
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Michelle was born and raised in North Carolina. She pursued her higher education at UNC Chapel Hill where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies, with a concentration in economics, trade, and development, and a minor in music. Identifying as first generation Peruvian-American, Michelle's area of study while at UNC was Latin America. She credits her time studying in Ireland and volunteering in Costa Rica for how she was shaped both personally and professionally during her undergraduate time. She continued her educational experience as a Fellow at Student Action with Farmworkers, a non-profit organization in Durham, NC. Since February of 2017, Michelle continues to spend her time at the Council working with Partners in Health and Wholeness. She seeks to listen, learn from, and empower all communities of NC to pursue a just future for all beings on earth. In her downtime Michelle loves to travel and sing in a barbershop chorus.

Sarah Ogletree, Program Coordinator, NC Interfaith Power & Light
programs@ncipl.org
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Sarah earned her Master of Divinity, with a concentration in religious leadership and ecology, from Wake Forest University School of Divinity. She has worked at the intersection of faith and environment for nearly a decade, partnering with organizations like the Creation Care Alliance of Western North Carolina, United Methodist Women, Creation Justice Network (UCC Southern Conference), and Presbyterians for Earth Care. In her current role as North Carolina Interfaith Power & Light (NCIPL) Program Coordinator, Sarah is blessed with the opportunity to walk alongside faith communities and people of conscience as they consider the social, environmental, and climate impacts of their relationships to energy, food, and the world that they exist within.. In addition to offering her services as a preacher, Sarah is available to faith communities as a sounding board for their ideas relating to sustainability in addition to giving presentations regarding the connection between climate change and faith. She is the recipient of the national 2018 Emerging Earth Care Leader Award from Presbyterians for Earth Care and was named a 2019 Re:Generate Fellow. Sarah calls the southern Appalachian mountains home and resides in Happy Valley, North Carolina, with her husband, dog, and two cats.

Julie Melson, Office Coordinator & Database Manager
julie@ncchurches.org
Julie is a lifelong North Carolinian born and raised in Raleigh who enjoys calling the Triangle area home. She is a graduate of Wake Technical Community College with an Associates Degree in Computer Engineering Technology and a Bachelor’s Degree in Information Technology with a concentration in Information Systems Security from the University of Phoenix. Prior to joining the Council, Julie spent 17 years working in the Property & Casualty Insurance industry including 6 of those years in Information Technology developing software for insurance companies. Julie is very involved in her local church serving in various capacities including leading Sunday School, committee membership, and serving in a variety of worship assistance roles. During her spare time, Julie is a sports fan rooting for NC State, the Carolina Panthers, and the Carolina Hurricanes.

Steve Ford, Volunteer Program Associate
steve@ncchurches.org
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Steve Ford has lived in North Carolina since 1981, when he moved here to join The News & Observer of Raleigh. He retired in late 2012 as the paper’s editorial page editor. In that job, he supervised the opinion pages, wrote editorials and wrote a weekly column. Steve grew up in Northern Virginia. He graduated from Yale University and served in the U.S. Army as a photographer, including a year in Vietnam. He and his wife, Jeanne, who is an attorney, live in Cary and have three grown sons. He began volunteer work with the N.C. Council of Churches in the spring of 2013, helping to keep an eye on state government and writing about public policy issues. In his spare time, Steve enjoys outdoor activities, taking road trips (back roads, especially) and playing the piano. He and Jeanne are members of Christ the King Lutheran Church, Cary.

Sandy Irving, Volunteer Program Associate
sandy@ncchurches.org
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Sandy Irving has been involved with the Council’s work for many years. She currently serves as the Volunteer for Health Care, worker’s rights and other federal issues. Sandy is an activist grandmother of six, a Presbyterian, and a retired research associate from the Biostatistics Department of the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Public Health. She currently serves on the board of NC Peace Action.

David LaMotte, Consultant for Peace
david@ncchurches.org
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David LaMotte is a graduate of James Madison University, where he became passionate about mediation and alternative conflict resolution in the late eighties and the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, where he completed a master’s degree in International Relations, Peace and Conflict Resolution. David is a member of the Swannanoa Valley Friends Meeting, but also has one foot in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Collins Kilburn, Executive Director Emeritus
Collins Kilburn served as Executive Director of the Council for 20 years prior to his retirement in 2000. He was named Executive Director Emeritus by the Council’s Executive Board in December, 2005. A native of Memphis, Collins graduated from Memphis State College and received his M.Div. from Duke.  He is an ordained United Church of Christ minister, a member of Community United Church of Christ in Raleigh, and a watch care member of Olin Binkley Memorial Baptist Church in Chapel Hill. Kilburn’s career with the Council spanned a total of 30 years, 10 of that as Director of Social Ministries, which included representing the Council on legislative issues.  He wrote and performed folk songs linked to social justice issues of the time, such as “Take It All Off,” aimed at the repeal of the food tax and “Do You Have Room for a Little Boom Boom?” related to the MX missile. Since retiring, he has found more time for tennis and for leading adult education programs focused on spiritual giants of our time.  He and his wife, Martha Hamilton, share four children and seven grandchildren.

The Council takes positions on issues through policy statements which inform, guide and frame our work. Policy statements are adopted by our governing body, often upon recommendation of one or more of the Council’s program committees which are made up of representatives of our member bodies.

Officers

The Rev. Isaac Villegas, President

Mennonite Church USA
Durham, NC

The Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen, President-Elect

African Methodist Episcopal Church - Second Episcopal District
Whittsett, NC

The Rev. Dr. Claire Robinson, Church Women United Representative

Church Women United
Winston-Salem , NC

The Rev. Deborah Suess, Secretary

Religious Society of Friends - North Carolina Yearly Meeting
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. Claire Clyburn, Treasurer

United Methodist Church - North Carolina Conference
Raleigh, NC

The Rev. Mindy Douglas, Immediate Past President

Presbytery of New Hope (PCUSA)
Durham, NC

At-Large Members

The Rev. Ernesto Barriguete

United Methodist Church - North Carolina Conference
Greenville, NC

Pat Boswell

United Church of Christ - Southern Conference
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. Hanna Broome

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District
Fayetteville, NC

The Rev. Christy Clore

Moravian Church in America - Southern Province
Winston-Salem , NC

The Rev. Maryann Crea

At-Large (Catholic)
Durham, NC

other Nicole Dozier

At-Large (NC Justice Center)
Raleigh, NC

The Rev. Richard Elliot

Episcopal Diocese of East Carolina
Durham, NC

The Rev. Erika Funk

Presbytery of Charlotte (PCUSA)
Charlotte, NC

Renee Hayes

United Methodist Church - Western North Carolina Conference
Trinity, NC

The Rev. Jill Isola

Presbytery of Western North Carolina (PCUSA)
Hickory, NC

Mr. Stan Kimer

Metropolitan Community Churches - North and South Carolina Network
Raleigh, NC

The Rev. Sonja Lee

Unity Fellowship Church Movement
Charlotte, NC

The Rev. Mary Ann Lochner

At-Large
Sylva, NC

The Rev. Allison Mahaley

At-Large (Unitarian Universalist)
Hillsborough, NC

The Rev. Erin Maxfield-Steele

Episcopal Diocese of Western North Carolina
Asheville, NC

The Rev. James Maynard

Reformed Churches of God in Christ International
Advance, NC

The Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister

At-Large (Missionary Baptist Church)
Charlotte, NC

The Rev. Kendal McBroom

At-Large (African Methodist Episcopal Church)
Burlington, NC

Bishop Valerie J. Melvin

Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in North Carolina
Wilson, NC

The Rev. Daran Mitchell

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - Piedmont Episcopal District
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. William Pegues

Christian Methodist Episcopal - Carolina Conference
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. Jess Rigel

Presbytery of Salem (PCUSA)
High Point, NC

The Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - North Carolina Synod
Hickory, NC

The Rev. Lia Scholl

Wake Forest Baptist
Winston-Salem, NC

The Rev. Albert Shuler

At-Large (United Methodist Church)
Greenville, NC

The Rev. Quan Stewart

General Baptist State Convention
Raleigh, NC

The Rev. Amelia Stinson-Wesley

United Methodist Women
Pineville, NC

The Rev. Deborah Suess

Religious Society of Friends - North Carolina Yearly Meeting
Greensboro, NC

The Rev. John Taylor

Presbytery of Coastal Carolina (PCUSA)
Sanford, NC

The Rev. Sarah Woodard, Deacon

Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina
Durham, NC

General Committee Chairs

The Rev. Albert Shuler , Business & Finance Committee Chair

At-Large (United Methodist Church)
Greenville, NC

The Rev. Dr. Christy Lohr Sapp, Christian Unity Committee Chair

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America - North Carolina Synod
Hickory, NC

The Rev. Isaac Villegas, Executive Committee Chair

Mennonite Church USA
Durham, NC

Henry Jarrett, Legislative Program Committee Chair

At-large
Raleigh, NC , NC

The Rev. Lia Scholl, Peace Committee Chair

Wake Forest Baptist
Winston-Salem, NC

The Rev. Hanna Broome , Personnel Committee Chair

African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church - Eastern North Carolina Episcopal District
Fayetteville, NC

The Rev. Dr. Conrad Pridgen, Planning Committee Chair

African Methodist Episcopal Church - Second Episcopal District
Whittsett, NC

The Rev. Allison Mahaley, Public Education Committee Chair

At-Large (Unitarian Universalist)
Hillsborough, NC

The Rev. Dr. Paul McAllister, Racial Equity Committee Chair

At-Large (Missionary Baptist Church)
Charlotte, NC

The Rev. Maryann Crea, Resource & Development Committee Chair

At-Large (Catholic)
Durham, NC